West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1887-05-26
A BIG SCHEME.
WAR AGAINST LABOR UNIONS.
Employers I'm the Building Interest
IN Chicago Put Forth n Code to
Which Their Employees
Must Subscribe

"A plan OF campaign 10 settle the great
building trades lockout by June and strike
memorable blow at trades unionism has
been set on foot at Chicago. At conference
OF delegates from every building interest in
Chcago, with representatives present FROM
the Illinois Architects Association, the Chi.
cago Heal Estate Board and kindred bodies.
the members Of which hire together probably
oO,OOO worlSmcn, a resolution was unani.
mously adopted that from this time forth the
signature of the following card Of principle
by the employee be made n universal condi.
ton OF employment by all the building inter
eSts Of Chicago
recognize tho right Of every man TO de-
eide for himself, without dictation or inter,
ference, when he shall work or cease To work
where no shall work; for whom he shall
work; how many hours no shall work, and
Tor what wages he shall work
Il recognize the absolute right OF employer
70 decide for himself, without Interference
from any source, whom he shall employ or
SeiSe 70 employ; TO regulate and manage his
business with perfect Independence and free
1om provided only that he shall deal lawful
Iy, Justly and honorable with all men.
recognize the right of every father 10
ma. nave nave MS son taught, and of every SON
20 learn any lawful trade rs ON n nlans with
his right to a knowledge of reading. writine
or any other branch OF learning, and shouII
the land. ' Va
II hereby pledge myself in all my relation
ana intercourse with my employers and fel-
low-workmen 10 maintain and live nm to
these principles ~ ~
THE EMPLOYERS PLEDGE.
There was no debate on the adoption NJ
this measure, and action was enthusiastically
unanimous, but general discussion sprang
up when it was proposed that tho same card
Oh principles DO presented for signature to
every employer with tho pledge thereto
changed as follows:-
81 hereby pledge myself to maintain and
LIVe up 20 these principles In prosecution OF
my BUSINESS and 10 lend my aid TO the fnIl
extent of my influence and power for their
maintenance and protection among NV
fellow-employers ny
II further pledge myself not to emplov
my workman except upon his signature of
this card OF principles"
When it was stated that tho pledge meant
the discharge Of every workman who did not
sign the required card, numerous objections
were raised, especially by contracting plaster.
ers, carpenters and stone-cutters who are pet-
ting along peaceably with their men and ara
expecting no trouble. All objections were
met with the reply that the card contained
nothing not guaranteed by the Constitution
OF the United States, and that the country
mad got tired of being shackled by tho labor
Unions AT length tacit understanding was
reached that the pledge should be voted upon
by the delegates individually, they then to 90
70 their associations and urge its ratification
Inc pledge was thereupon adopted unani
mously.
EXECUTIVE ARRANGEMENTS.
The first day OF June was fixed upon as the
date when the lockout would be declared of
and business resumed with tho card of nrin.
clples as the basis. 1t was decided to appoint
a standing committee of one member from
each OF the building trades associations. the II.
hnols State Association of Architects and the
chicago Real Estate Board TO be known as
the Central Council of the Building Interests
OF Chicago, whose duty it shall be to see to
the carrying out Of the card principles. The
council Will establish a committee of safetv.
whose province it shall be to see that ampIa
protection to all is afforded, with sub-com-
mlttees on grievances, strikes and arbitra-
Ton Funds to meet expenses will DO raised
by an assessment Of 25 cents on every member
OF tho many associations represented in to-
day conference and 10y public contributions
10 the cause, tho contractors exl ress conf
hence that their fight for the principles dc.
ciared VIII draw tho support ofthe people in
general here and throughout the countrv